Minimum admission requirements

Listed below are the minimum admission requirements for graduate studies at USask. Please refer to your chosen graduate program for program-specific information, as it may have higher or additional requirements. Meeting minimum admission requirements for a program does not guarantee admission.

  1. A four-year undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study, OR,
  2. A three-year first cycle undergraduate degree, in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study, from an institution that meets the criteria set forth in the Bologna Declaration, will be acceptable as the equivalent of an undergraduate honours degree.
  3. A cumulative weighted average of at least 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of full-time study (e.g. 60 credit units USask equivalent).
  4. Demonstrated ability for independent thought, advanced study, and research.
  5. Proof of English language proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.

  1. A Master's degree, or equivalent, from a recognized university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study.
  2. A cumulative weighted average of at least 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the Master's degree.
  3. Demonstrated ability for independent thought, advanced study, and research.
  4. Proof of English language proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.

  1. A four-year undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study.
  2. A cumulative weighted average of at least 65% (USask grade system equivalent) in each of the final two years full time study (e.g. 60 credit units USask equivalent) of the undergraduate program.
  3. Proof of English language proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.

  • A four-year undergraduate degree, or the equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study or from a professional college with specialization in some subject or discipline comparable to that required for an Honours B.A./B.Sc. from this University*.
  • A cumulative weighted average of at least 65% (USask grade system equivalent) in each of the final two years (e.g. 60 credit units)of the undergraduate program, or equivalent at the graduate level.
  • Proof of English language proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.

Admission on a non-degree basis does not ensure admission to a graduate program at a later date.

*A three-year first cycle undergraduate degree, in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study, from an institution that meets the criteria set forth in the Bologna Declaration, will be acceptable as the equivalent of an undergraduate honours degree.

  • If applying at the Master's level, a four-year undergraduate degree or the equivalent from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study*, OR  
  • If applying at the Doctoral level, a master's degree, or the equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study.
  • A cumulative weighted average of at least 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the final two years (e.g. 60 credit units) of the undergraduate program, or equivalent at the graduate level.
  • Currently registered in either a master's or a doctoral program at another university.
  • Proof of English language proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.

*A three-year first cycle undergraduate degree, in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study, from an institution that meets the criteria set forth in the Bologna Declaration, will be acceptable as the equivalent of an undergraduate honours degree.

International students

International students must meet the minimum admission requirements. You must apply for admission in order to receive an official evaluation of academic credentials and a grade conversion to a USask admission average.

English language proficiency requirements

The language of instruction and examination at the University of Saskatchewan is English. In order for students to understand, communicate and be successful in programs at the university, an acceptable level of academic English is required (including written, spoken, reading and listening components).

Listed below are the minimum English language proficiency requirements for graduate studies at USask. Some programs have higher English language requirements. Please refer to your chosen graduate program for program-specific information, as it may have higher or additional requirements.

Proof of English proficiency may be demonstrated through:

  1. A minimum of three consecutive years of full-time study or completion of a graduate degree at a recognized post-secondary institution, where the exclusive language of instruction and examination of the program and/or institution is English – view eligible institutions

  2. Meeting the minimum score requirements for one of the following language tests:
IELTS (Academic Module)
International English Language Testing System
  • Fully qualified: Overall score of 6.5 with no score below 6.0 in each area
TOEFL iBT (Internet-based)
Test of English as a Foreign Language

Includes the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition

Institutional TOEFL (ITP) not accepted

our Institution Code is 0980
  • Fully qualified: Overall score of 86 with minimum scores of 19 in each area
Cambridge C1 Advanced
Cambridge Assessment English
  • Fully qualified: Overall score of 176
  • Overall score of 115, with minimum individual scores of 95 in each area
  • Effective January 1, 2025, an overall score of 120, with a minimum score of 100 in each area is required.
PTE Academic
Pearson Test of English
  • Fully qualified: Overall score of 63 with minimum scores of 59 in each area
CAEL
Canadian Academic English Language
  • Minimum score of 70%, with minimum individual scores of 60
University of Saskatchewan Language Centre
Level 4 (English for Academic Purposes)
  • Successful completion
University of Regina
Intensive ESL Advanced Level (ESL 50)l Plus completion of Academic Writing Elective A
  • Successful completion

Please note:

  • All scores must be from one exam date, not to be combined with other exam dates.
  • Tests are valid for 24 months after the testing date and must be valid at the beginning of the student's first term of registration in the graduate program.
  • If a student defers admission to a future term, the test score must be valid at the time of the new start date, or a new test must be completed successfully.
  • In all cases where an applicant is requesting to fulfil language proficiency requirements through previous study in English, approval is at the discretion of the academic unit in which the graduate program is housed. All academic units reserve the right to require applicants to submit an official language test which meets minimum requirements, even when previous post-secondary work has been completed in English. Applicants should inquire with the academic unit to which they are applying regarding if they will accept previous post-secondary study as proof of proficiency. 

English for Academic Purposes

If you have received an offer of conditional admission to a graduate degree program at USask, you can apply for the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program to gain English proficiency.